Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to David Hosack, [20 October 1819]

To David Hosack

[20 Oct. 1819]

the memoir in the Philosophical Transactions, on the change of climate in America, I have ever considered as a remarkably ingenious, sound, and satisfactory piece of philosophy.1

We served together in congress, at Annapolis, during the winter of 1783 and 4; there I found him a very useful member, of an acute mind, attentive to business, and of an high degree of erudition.

Undated extracts from otherwise unlocated letter in Hosack, A Biographical Memoir of Hugh Williamson, M.D. LL.D. (New York, 1820; Poor, Jefferson’s Library description begins Nathaniel P. Poor, Catalogue. President Jefferson’s Library, 1829 description ends , 5 [no. 165]; TJ’s copy in ViCMRL, on deposit ViU]), 31–2, 67. Recorded in SJL as a letter to Hosack of 20 Oct. 1819 written from Monticello “on subject of Dr Williamson.”

The 17 Aug. 1770 memoir was Hugh Williamson, “An Attempt to account for the Change of Climate, which has been observed in the Middle Colonies in North-America,” APS description begins American Philosophical Society description ends , Transactions 1 (1769/71): 272–80.

1Extract on pp. 31–2 ends here.

Index Entries

  • A Biographical Memoir of Hugh Williamson, M.D. LL.D. (D. Hosack) search
  • American Philosophical Society; Transactions search
  • books; biographical search
  • Confederation Congress; TJ as member of search
  • Hosack, David; A Biographical Memoir of Hugh Williamson, M.D. LL.D. search
  • Hosack, David; letters to search
  • Jefferson, Thomas; Public Service; in Confederation Congress search
  • weather; and climate change search
  • Williamson, Hugh; A Biographical Memoir of Hugh Williamson, M.D. LL.D. (D. Hosack) search
  • Williamson, Hugh; writings of search